A Matter of the Heart

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Pete

Reading in Numbers 6 this morning . . . the details concerning those who sign up for the vow of a Nazirite. This “special vow” is essentially a determination by a man or a woman, for a self-determined period of time, to “separate himself to the LORD.” It is a vow in which the individual consecrates themselves wholly to the LORD . . . ordering their lives in a sacred separation as a display of devotion to God. For the duration of the vow, it will impact what they eat and drink, how they groom themselves, and what they can come in contact with. And, it is is costly, not only in terms of self sacrifice, but also in terms of material goods. At the end of this voluntary separation, the cart is loaded up with animals, bread, grain, and drink to be offered at the tent of meeting. This, writes Moses, is the law of the Nazirite.

Talk about gutting out a display of holiness. Talk about doing everything in one’s power to separate oneself to God. Talk about cutting away that which would defile in order to maintain a sacred separation to the God you love. Talk about a great effort . . . but one that, apart from an inner working of the heart, would be just that . . . a great effort.

I then read in Romans 2. There, the end of the chapter deals with another Old Testament practice intended to indicate separation unto God. Circumcision. But here Paul reveals the powerlessness of a great effort apart from an inward dynamic.

For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.   (Romans 2:28-29 ESV)

Less about a great effort . . . more about a matter of the heart. You can cut away flesh . . . abstain from certain foods and drink as unto the Lord . . . offer a boat load of offerings . . . but if it’s just going through outward motions without an inward motivation, then it’s just a great effort with no real meaning or value. “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly.”

Rather, the pursuit of holiness and sacred separation is a matter of the heart. And the heart is not changed by “the letter” . . . not molded by vows and rules of conduct. Instead, the heart is revived by the active agency of the Holy Spirit.

That’s the separation we, as believers, desire. To have been declared holy in Christ . . . and then to be made holy by the sanctifying work of the Spirit.

Our determination to abstain from certain things, to put on other things, and in all things be His and His alone, coming not from a law which prescribes the external, but from the Spirit which transforms a person from the inside out. Our separation being not just a matter of a great effort, but of an obedience born from a gracious God who has begun a work in us which He will bring to completion.

It’s a matter of the heart. A “great effort” in the power of a great Savior and for the glory of a great God.

Amen?

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My Team

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Pete

As I think back . . . for the most part, when I was a kid, I did ok in those lines. You know those lines where everybody was against the wall while “second captain, first pick” and “first captain, second pick” selected individuals for their teams? For a lot of kids those lines could be pretty stressful . . . “please, don’t let me be on that team!” . . . or “please, don’t let me be picked last!” But I did ok . . . not very often was I among the top picks . . . but I don’t recall being last very often either . . . kinda’ middle of the pack . . . and that was ok. But as I’m reading in Numbers this morning, I’m thinking about the team He’s picked me for.

What’s got me thinking about this “being picked thing” is that in the first two chapters of Numbers the census has to do with counting all males, one by one, who are twenty years old and above and able to go to war (Num. 1:3) . . . let’s call them “The Warriors.” And so all the tribes are counted . . . except for one . . . the tribe of Levi. Instead a different census is taken of the Levite males . . . actually a couple of counts.

The first, in chapter 3, is the count of every male from a month old and above (Num. 3:14). The purpose of this count was so that God could claim the Levites as the redemption price for all the firstborn in Israel. Then, in Numbers 4, another count is taken . . . all males from the tribe of Levi who are between 30 years old and 50 years old, all those who could “come on duty, to do the work in the tent of meeting” (Num. 4:3). We’ll call this team, “The Worshipers.” Doesn’t sound as exciting as the first team, does it?

And so the males are counted . . . the teams are picked. On this side, numbering six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty, dressed in battle gear, “The Warriors” . . . and, on that side, numbering eight thousand five hundred and fifty, clothed in white tunics, “The Worshipers.” There they stand . . . 603,550 to 8,550 . . . the warriors looking over at the worshipers . . . the relatively few white tunic guys looking over at the hoard of grunting men in armor. And I’m thinking, “If I was there, what team would I have wanted to be picked for?”

Certainly the more “popular” team was the army . . . that’s where the majority were . . . more action . . . more macho. But as I think of what it meant to be a Levite . . . to be picked of God for service in the tent of meeting . . . the place where men were brought to God . . . the place where God determined to dwell with men . . . I think of what a privilege it was to be part of the tribe that was chosen for the service of God. A special people . . . with access to a special working place . . . with a special set of duties . . . the kind of work which, if any one else where to do it, they would die (Num. 1:51).

And what comes to mind is that I too have been “picked” to be part of a “team” . . . a team that not only enters into the holy place, but is itself being made into a holy place . . .

As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.   (1Peter 2:4-5 ESV)

Now, I know that, in Numbers, the Warriors and the Worshipers were all from God’s chosen people. And that, in a sense, I’m called to both be a warrior, or at least a wrestler (Eph. 6:12), as well as a worshiper. But as a worshiper of God, in the world we live, I also know that I’m not part of the most popular team. It’s not the biggest team . . . not the team that so many around me want to be part of. And, while it may not be considered the most exciting side to be on, by His grace and through His Son, I’ve been numbered by God to be on a very, very special team. A team that is allowed access into the Holy of Holies . . . a team that is privileged to serve the God of Creation . . . a team which competes for a prize which, literally, is out of this world.

Why me? I really don’t know. That He would have called my name from the line . . . that I would have heard His voice and responded in faith . . . all a work of His wonderful grace. But here I am . . . on the “few-are-chosen-and-narrow-is-the way” team . . . The Worshipers . . . in service to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And it kind of puts a smile on face . . . and gratitude in my heart . . . and praise on my lips!

Believer, thank God for the wonderful call He has placed on our lives. Thank Him for giving us ears to hear and a new heart to respond. May we never look at the “other team” with longing . . . but let us be satisfied, content, and committed to this team . . . The Worshipers . . . for the glory of God . . . amen!

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Power on the Shelf?

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Pete

To noodle on the idea of power is one thing . . . to meditate on the power of God takes it to a whole next level. You might consider the power of God as exerted in Creation. The world spoken into existence. Or you might consider His power displayed in Egypt as He delivered His people from heart-hardened Pharaoh. Commander of the elements . . . Protector of His people. From staffs turned into serpents . . . to hailstones called down only on certain geographic locations . . . to an angel of death directed to pass over those covered by the blood . . . to the Red Sea being parted for the people to pass . . . the presence of God was known through magnificent, awe-inspiring power. And this morning, as I start into Romans, I am reminded of perhaps the greatest portrayal of the the power of God . . . the gospel.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”   (Romans 1:16-17 ESV)

The original word is dunamis . . . referring to something with “inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its very nature.” The gospel of God (1:1), by it’s very nature, is power. The gospel of His Son (1:9), at its very essence, possesses a mighty dynamic. It is power manifest in a righteousness made known to those who are unrighteous . . . who, in their own strength, are incapable, or powerless, of being righteous. Thus, their just standing before a holy God is no standing at all. Dead in sins apart from God’s power . . . enslaved by the passions of the flesh unless delivered by a stronger master . . . they are without hope. But the dunamis of the gospel, a righteousness through faith, makes alive the dead and frees those in bondage.

It is a power sourced in the substitutionary work of Another. A might found in the abundant grace of a God who loved the world to such an extent that He offered His Son as the once-for-all atoning sacrifice for our sin. And it is the power of God for salvation. And yet I wonder how often we leave power on the shelf.

I think it’s because often we have such a limited view of salvation. A view of it being a once-and-done decision that occurs in the past of the Christian. Having received Him by faith, we were saved by the power of the gospel. Having secured eternal life we move on from the gospel. But what if our salvation is something more than a past event? What if it is an on-going dynamic? Then isn’t the gospel the power of God for those aspects of salvation as well? I’m thinkin’ . . .

If, just as we WERE saved from the penalty of sin, we are now BEING saved from the power of sin through the Spirit’s active work of conforming in us the image of the Son, isn’t the gospel the power of God for that too? Isn’t it the dunamis, available by God’s overflowing grace through faith, for us pilgrims seeking to walk the walk worthy of our calling? And, isn’t there a sense in which we WILL BE saved from the presence of sin when we meet the Lord? And isn’t our hope, as His Bride, that the Bridegroom will present us to Himself without wrinkle and spot through the power of the gospel. Through the might of His finished work . . . through His Sovereign determination . . . a determination founded on a risen Savior, mediated by a forever High Priest . . . the God who loves us and has called us to be saints will, one day, bring us to Himself? Again, I’m thinkin’ . . .

So why would we leave power on the shelf? Why wouldn’t I read Romans this morning and embrace the power of the gospel for working out my salvation today as much as I clung to it when I secured salvation (or when salvation secured me) in the past?

The gospel is the power of God for salvation . . . yesterday, today, and forever. Off the shelf . . . into myself.

For His glory . . .

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From the Crowd to the Kids

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Pete

Hear the word “Hosanna” and most of us will go immediately to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Cloaks spread on the road . . . branches cut from trees and laid before this One coming to them humbly, mounted on a donkey — the coming king foretold by Zechariah (9:9) and the other prophets. The crowds surrounding Him . . . shouting at the top of their lungs, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9). But as I was reading in Matthew this morning, I was surprised at a second mention of those crying “Hosanna.” The din of the crowds having died off, there was still a small group who continued the “Hosanna” rhythm after He entered the temple area. A small group as in a short group. The kids continued to cry out . . .

And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise’?”   (Matthew 21:14-16 ESV)

You can imagine that those who had been singing the song outside the temple were losing the tune when they started seeing Jesus turn the place upside down . . . literally. He’s overturning tables and flipping over chairs. Change is bouncing off the pavement . . . animals are bleating in excitement . . . pigeons are in a flap. You imagine a bit of chaos in this place of unholy commerce. And then there’s the disapproving presence of the priests and scribes . . . casting a steely glance at this Jesus of Nazareth . . . already determined to find a way to put him to death, you can just see in their hardened faces that they are done with Him. So, I’m guessing the crowd has stopped singing . . . that they’ve stopped proclaiming, “Hosanna.” But not the kids.

The children, having seen His display of authority . . . the young ‘uns, having taken note of His healing of the blind and lame . . . take up the song the adults have determined is no longer politically correct. Amidst the chaos of the cleansing of the temple . . . despite the coldness of the condemning eyes of the religious leaders . . . even though the crowd has gone silent . . . the kids keep singing, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” There is this undertone of praise . . . ordained of God . . . prepared for the kids.

I imagine they cried out with joy and excitement. The same way you hear a kid crying out, “Again!” as you push them on a swing or give them some other ride . . . “Again!” In this case though, the children are not asking to receive something more . . . but instead delight in giving adoration to the One who is worthy of all adoration. They desire to declare the Name of Him whose name is Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace. Their joy is in offering the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of their lips . . . a sweet smelling aroma offered to heaven’s portal. All out of the mouths of babes.

Undistracted by the activity . . . undaunted by the animosity . . . though the crowds have gone quite . . . the song is continued by the kids.

O’ that I might be such a kid. The song fresh despite the circumstance. The voice determined regardless of disapproval. The praise prepared for me to deliver, offered wholeheartedly.

By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

Amen?

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Fruitful Praise

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Pete

A certain word jumped off the page as I was reading this morning. Don’t think I’ve ever noticed it before when reading here. No, didn’t expect to find that word in Leviticus. Not too surprising that I wasn’t expecting it . . . it only occurs once in the whole book of Leviticus. Amidst the instructions for the various sacrifices . . . amidst the many commands to be obeyed by a people separated unto Himself by their God . . . amidst the repeated declaration that God’s people are to be holy, because the LORD is holy . . . it just kind of popped out.

Praise. That’s the word that caught my eye. And a principle . . . that’s what’s got me thinking . . . a principle of fruitful praise.

When you come into the land and plant any kind of tree for food, then you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden to you; it must not be eaten. And in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, an offering of praise to the LORD. But in the fifth year you may eat of its fruit, to increase its yield for you: I am the LORD your God.   (Leviticus 19:23-25 ESV)

I’m not much of a horticulturist . . . actually, not at all. Don’t know nothing about planting fruit trees. But I’m guessing that God, the Creator does, and so he tells His people to let them lie for the first three years after they’re planted. The Creator says to regard the fruit as “forbidden” . . . literally, as the NKJV renders it, regard it as uncircumcised. The circumcised were to stay away from the uncircumcised. For three years the people of God were to stay away from the fruit of the fledgling tree.

But in the fourth year . . . now things start happening. The tree is thriving . . . the blossoms are blooming . . . the fruit is abundantly growing. Time to chow down! Nope! Not yet.

In the fourth year all the fruit was to be harvested and given to the LORD . . . as an offering of praise. This, you might say, would be fruitful praise.

It’s the principle of the first fruits being applied to . . .well, to fruit. God is given the first harvest . . . He is presented with the inaugural returns.  After three years of waiting for the tree to bear good fruit, when it does so in the fourth year, it is to be given to the LORD. And says, the Holy Spirit, it is an offering of praise.

The idea of giving God the first fruits, whether that’s of our income . . . or of our time . . . or of anything else that has been graciously afforded us . . . is more than just giving God His rightful due . . . it should be offered as an act of praise. It’s a celebration of the bounty granted by His good grace . . . and acknowledgment that while we might have planted and watered, it is our God who gives the increase. It’s what makes the tithe an act of worship . . . morning devotions an offering of thanksgiving. The “discipline” to obey giving way to a “desire” to adore.

That which we can’t wait to enjoy, but is instead counted as holy to the LORD, becomes fruitful praise.

To Him be fruitful praise!

By His grace . . . for His glory.

Posted in Leviticus | Leave a comment

Investment Advice

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Pete

His heart was seeking . . . his question was sincere, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (Matt. 19:16) This rich young man had lots of stuff, but he didn’t have everything — he didn’t have a grasp on eternal life. And so, he approached the One who seemed to have the inside track on knowing how this “kingdom of heaven” thing really worked.

And Jesus, directly yet gently, leads this seeking soul to the barrier standing between him and the kingdom. He had great possessions . . . he had great wealth . . . he owned much property . . . and, for the moment at least, his property was owning him. “You want to lay hold of eternal life,” Jesus said, “keep the commandments.” And the young man, with sincere heart responds that he has been a “commandment keeper” since his youth. Faithful, devout, obedient . . . undoubtedly offering the sacrifices required for those times when he came up short. But he knows that it has to be about something more than just the ten commandments for he persists and asks Jesus, “What do I still lack?” What’s holding me back? What’s keeping me from knowing that I am a possessor of eternal life? Where’s the gap?

Jesus then nails it . . .

“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”   (Matthew 19:21 ESV)

And the young man’s response?

When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.    (Matthew 19:22 ESV)

Nope . . . too much . . . too high a cost. There’s a lot I’m willing to do, but I won’t do that. And so he walks away.

And what impresses me is that he walked away because he didn’t make the connection between what he possessed in the “here and now” and how that could be invested in the “there and then.” He had the opportunity to liquidate his assets and convert them into “treasure in heaven.” What seemed like giving up a lot for the sake of the kingdom was in reality one of the most lasting purchases he could make. The problem? It required faith to see and believe and act on the transaction. Is it any different today?

Even as a follower of Jesus, I can be possessed by my possessions such that, when I can examine my kingdom experience, I find it wanting. And I can come to Jesus and say, “Lord, what’s missing? How do I get a grasp on this ‘abundant life’ You’ve graciously called me to?” And I too might hear, “Give it up for Me, Pete. It’s keeping you from following Me wholeheartedly. You’re holding on too tight. Let it go. Invest it in the things of the kingdom . . . and believe the returns will be treasure beyond this world.”

Pretty sound investment advice. Not necessarily that we need to cash it all in . . . but that we need to be willing to. Not that we can’t have stuff . . . but that He owns it . . . and we are but stewards.

O for grace to follow after Him hard . . . and to hold to the trinkets of this world lightly.

Amen?

Posted in Matthew | 1 Comment

Grace by Day . . . Songs at Night

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Pete

I’ve got to think that most people can relate to the overall tone of Psalm 42. It’s the dirge rhythm of a downcast soul. The oppressive feeling of despair. That sinking feeling that breaks like waves over your whole being. Even when you recognize that you’re “going blue” and try to power out of it with reason and logic, the turmoil persists. And, for the believer, . . . for the one who has known relationship with the living God . . . the despair evokes a barrenness . . . the sense of communion and fellowship having dried up like a drought inflicted water bed. And out of such dryness comes a thirst . . .

As a deer pants for flowing streams,
    so pants my soul for You, O God.
 My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
 When shall I come and appear before God?   (Psalm 42:1-2 ESV)

Though the emotion might cloud out its articulation, that’s what the believer’s soul longs for. Living water flowing abundantly from the living God. To enter again into the throne room and know His radiating glory. The psalmist recalls a time when he would lead the processional to the house of God to worship and praise the Rock of his salvation. How he longed for such times again. For weeping in the night to yield to joy in the morning (Ps. 30:5). For mourning to give way to dancing (Ps. 30:11). For the spirit of heaviness to be clothed with garments of praise (Isa. 61:3).

And so the songwriter encourages himself, “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him.” Keep on keepin’ on.

And in the midst of this melancholy melody, I take note of a familiar dynamic . . . grace by day and songs at night.

By day the LORD commands His steadfast love,
    and at night His song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:8 ESV)

It is the dynamic of a faithful God . . . a God whose mercies are new every morning . . . and His grace sufficient for the day. That dynamic where the Spirit intercedes with my spirit reminding me that, though He may feel to be distant, my God commands His steadfast love over His children at all times . . . “For I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Though my spiritual senses may have grown dim, His abiding presence has not changed. And so by day, His steadfast love continues to flow.

And then, there’s that night when the dawn starts to break. Having made it through another day, you recognize His faithful hand through every day. And the thirsty soul starts to drink again from the eternal springs of heaven . . . and a song arises . . . and a conversation is rekindled . . . and worship ascends to “the God of my life.”

To be honest, I’m not crazy about experiencing a downcast soul. Don’t much care for it. But through it, to know afresh my God is faithful is a good thing . . . to have another verse to sing in the new song He has given me (Ps. 40:3) is a blessing.

His abiding faithfulness and His abundant grace by day . . . my songs of gratitude and praise at night.

For His glory . . .

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Over the Top Grace

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Pete

I wonder what prompted Peter’s question? Jesus had just taught on the means of reconciliation between a brother and another brother who had sinned against him. Try and work it out with him yourself . . . if that doesn’t work bring it to the church . . . and if he listens, then you’ve gained a brother (Matt. 18:15-17). So how come Peter goes to Jesus later and asks, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” (18:21)

Was it because Peter imagined a scenario where some dude might “play the system?” Where a brother, knowing that others needed to forgive him, would take advantage of it? Was Peter wondering if there was a “reasonable limit” after which enough is enough? Perhaps. More likely though, I think Peter is picking up what Jesus is laying down. That the way of the kingdom is that of grace and forgiveness. And so, he throws a number out there, not as a limit, but as a measure of generous mercy. Seven times? I got it Lord, I’d forgive . . . even seven times, I’d forgive! Apparently, current rabbinical teaching was that you needed to forgive a transgressing brother three times. Peter doubled it . . . and added one more for good measure. I get it, Lord, forgive, forgive, forgive . . . and then forgive, forgive, forgive . . . and forgive!

And Jesus says, Uh, not quite. You don’t really get it. How about seventy-seven times? How about seventy times seven times? Let me tell you a story . . .

And Jesus tells a parable of a servant who owed a king ten thousand talents (18:23-35). For all intents and purposes, that’s like a gazillion dollars. No idea how a servant could rack up that much debt on what he was making . . . maybe he bet on the Bronco’s for the Super Bowl (that was for you Seakhawks fans). But however he did it, the king demanded payment or he would sell everything, . . . including the servant, his wife and kids, . . . in order to pay off some of the debt. The servant pleads for mercy, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” No way. There was no way the servant could come up with that kind of dough. But the king has pity on the man who’s been backed into a corner with no way out. And so, the king forgives his debt. All of it. Might as well of printed, “PAID IN FULL” on the invoice.

Happy ending goes sour, though. The debt-free servant now goes to a fellow servant who owes him a hundred denarii . . . a little over three months wages. Pretty hefty sum. His buddy asks for some patience and some time to pay him back. But the answer is, No way! That’s the response of the now debt free servant . . . No way, pay me back now . . . pay me back in full, or I’ll exercise my rights to have your thrown in debtor’s prison until you can repay. Word get’s back to the king. And his master is furious, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” And the king throws the unforgiving servant into jail “until he should pay his debt” . . . that’s like forever!

Maybe we think the story’s kind of far fetched. How does some servant get so much in debt? How could a king be so merciful to excuse that much debt? How could the servant be such a doofus and then not extend similar mercy to others in similar circumstance? But, says Jesus, that’s what the kingdom of heaven is like. Showing mercy to others to the measure we have been shown mercy.

Our debt before the King of Kings was beyond paying. The sin with which we had sinned against a holy God . . . the transgression with which we had rebelled against the ways of a loving God . . . resulted in a debt we could not pay. Let every good work we could do (with no demerits for less than good works) be done for eternity and be added to our account and we still could not pay up. And the King in His mercy . . . and through His abundant grace . . . declares, “PAID IN FULL” . . . by my perfect Son . . . through the cruel cross of Calvary. The debt is gone, says the King, what’s more, I no longer call you a servant, but a son. The grace you have known . . . let it be known to others.

Forgiving the same brother or sister seven times sounds pretty generous. But it’s nothing compared to what we have been forgiven. Seventy times seven might sound over the top . . . but isn’t that the grace we have received? Over the top grace? Isn’t that the grace we should, in His power, extend?

I’m thinkin’ . . .

Lord, help me to go and do likewise. Because of Your grace . . . for Your glory . . .

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The Way

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Pete

Had breakfast with a buddy last weekend. During the course of the morning’s conversation we talked about our weight and our attempts to have less of it. Yeah . . . kind of ironic . . . ’cause the breakfast we enjoyed wasn’t exactly part of the solution. But as we talked about solutions (rather than practicing any that morning) we agreed that “crash diets” weren’t really of interest to us . . . instead we both knew it had to be a change in the way we approached eating overall  (and a way that would have to accommodate a certain number breakfasts of the type we were about to enjoy). Not some short term fix . . . but a long term adjustment. Not a quick diet, but a quiet determination to follow a regimen of more healthy eating. Less about immediate weight loss and more about a way of life.

I wonder sometimes if there aren’t those who approach their faith something like a crash diet. Guilt builds, for whatever reason, and it’s back to church . . . or re-start the reading plan . . . or add a little something to next week’s offering. They try and power themselves back to a “right standing” only to return to their normal course of action and eventually “fall off the wagon” again. Short term fix? Maybe, after some manner of thinking. Long term gain? Not so much.

What’s got me thinking along these lines is a little two word phrase that I encountered this morning for the fourth and fifth time as I’ve been reading through Acts. That phrase? “The Way.”

In Acts 9, it says that Saul went to Damascus to persecute those “belonging to the Way.” In Acts 19, the converted Saul, now Paul, is challenged as he preaches to Jews at a synagogue and it says there arose those who were “speaking evil of the Way to the congregation.” Later, in Ephesus, home of the pagan goddess Artemis, Luke records that “there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way” as it was starting to impact the business of the idol makers. And in my Acts 24 reading this morning, Paul is in Roman chains, standing before governor Felix, who had “rather accurate knowledge of the Way”, listening to his Jewish accusers. And Paul responds to their false charges, exposing their real problem with him.

Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.    (Acts 24:13-15 ESV)

They called The Way a sect . . . Paul called it worship. Paul said it was propelled by belief in the Scriptures and fueled by a future hope. It was less about spouting dogma than about pursuing daily the things of God. Less about acknowledging a distant Jehovah and more about communing with a risen Jesus. Less about periodic good works to stay in good standing, all about a persistent and consistent walk because we have already been seated together with Him in the heavenlies (Eph. 2:6) through His perfect Person and His finished work.

Crash diets don’t sustain weight loss. Neither do “crash good works” sustain the faith. Instead, it’s pursuing The Way . . . it’s The Way enveloping us. Our whole lives an act of worship. Our thoughts filtered by The Way . . . our priorities influenced by The Way . . . our aspirations and goals founded on The Way . . . our greatest desire to be found by Him in The Way.

By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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The Touch of His Hand, The Sound of His Voice

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Pete

Sensory overload . . . that’s what I’m thinking. It simply became too much for their five feeble senses to process and so “they fell on their faces and were terrified.” That’s what I think happened on that mountain. Peter, James, and John didn’t know what was in store for them when they followed Jesus to that place . . . and when they got there, they didn’t know what to do.

It starts with the Master being transfigured before them . . . He lights up . . . literally. His face shines like the sun and His clothes become white as light. Talk about ethereal. And their eyes don’t have a chance to fully adjust to the brightness of Jesus’ exuding glory when “behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah” (17:3). What!?! First, where did they come from? Second, how did they know who these guys were? Did Jesus introduce them? I don’t think so . . . they just knew. Which of their senses enabled that? I’m thinking that an EEG would be lighting up right about now if it were measuring the activity happening between their ears?

Ok, so here Peter, James, and John are . . . Jesus is shining before them with a glory they had never imagined, much less seen, before. What’s more, He’s talking to two of the greatest men in all of Israel’s history . . . Moses the deliverer from Egypt and the mediator of the Law . . . and Elijah the prophet to top all prophets. Does not compute . . . does not compute. And so, not knowing what to do or what to say, Peter offers to set up camp so they can all hang out for awhile. The three disciples brains were exploding . . . didn’t really understand what was going down . . . but whatever it was, Peter thought it shouldn’t end too quickly.

And then . . . BAM!!!

A bright cloud descends . . . anyone else thinking Exodus? The glory of the Majestic, Holy God falls about them . . . and a voice speaks from the enveloping cloud. And that does it!

[Peter] was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.   (Matthew 17:5-6 ESV)

Done! Too much input. A glowing Master . . . visitors from another world . . . encased in a cloud from heaven . . . commanded by the thunderous voice of Almighty God to stop scurrying about. Down they go . . . face to dirt . . . with exceedingly great fear. You think?

And here’s what gets me every time I read this passage. Though it’s Jesus’ time to shine (literally) . . . though He is receiving some of the exaltation He deserves but has known so little of while visiting earth . . . though this is His moment and He might well have paused to receive and enjoy the homage paid Him . . . instead, Matthew records this,

But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”   (Matthew 17:7 ESV)

Jesus came. He made the first move. He didn’t wait for His subjects to crawl to Him. Instead, He went to them in all their sensory overloaded terror. And then, He touches them. The hand of this transfigured Christ rests upon their mortal bodies. King Jesus, who might well of just lowered His scepter toward them, instead, at that moment, is the Good Shepherd Jesus who gently and physically cares for His sheep. And then, having let them feel the warmth of His touch, this One who had just been speaking with Moses and Elijah, now speaks to them, “It’s ok. Get up. Don’t be afraid.”

It was too much for them. But the touch of His hand . . . and the sound of His voice . . . were such that, when they looked up, “they saw no one, but Jesus only” (17:8).

O blessed Jesus. O gentle Jesus. He who will not break a bruised reed and will not quench a faintly burning wick (Isa. 42:3). Though glorious God, He still comes with the touch of His hand and the sound of His voice to raise up those who are overwhelmed . . . whether by His glory of by their grief.

Feel His touch . . . Hear His voice . . . To Him be all glory!

Amen?

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